Palmitoyl-catechin for alcoholic liver disease: results of a three-month clinical trial.

A prospective randomized double-blind trial of 3-palmitoyl-(+)-catechin at a dose of 1500 mg daily (500 mg t.d.s.) for 3 months vs placebo has failed to demonstrate statistically significant clinical, biochemical or histological benefit in patients with biopsy-proven alcoholic liver disease. Nevertheless, this trial has confirmed the beneficial effect of a reduction in the rate of alcohol consumption on alcoholic liver disease. Apart from clinical evidence of a higher rate of alcohol consumption by patients receiving the active drug during the trial, no adverse side-effects were identified and for this reason, it is suggested that a further trial should be considered with the daily dosage so far used in man (20 mg/kg) increased toward that (100 mg/kg) employed with benefit in animal experiments.